Buckingham Palace has introduced the dying of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will probably be preceded by a interval of staging. The dates and particulars of those occasions will probably be introduced by the Royal Home sooner or later.
A interval of nationwide mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has now begun. The interval of nationwide mourning will proceed till the top of the day of the nationwide funeral. The Royal Household will undertake a separate interval of royal mourning, topic to the King’s needs.
Introduction
Nationwide mourning is a interval of reflection in response to the dying of the sovereign, or one other member of the royal household or an important individual in nationwide life.
This information goals to supply the general public, companies and establishments with an evidence of nationwide mourning and to offer sensible recommendation on the way you or your group could want to observe public mourning throughout this time.
It covers, amongst different issues:
- half-masting of flags
- how bereavement commentary can have an effect on the pursuit of enterprise, occasions and sporting fixtures
- floral tributes
- condolence books
Nonetheless, bereavement could be very private and we anticipate that people, households, communities and organizations will need to mark Her Majesty’s passing in their very own method. The general public or organizations are usually not anticipated to watch particular behaviors throughout the mourning interval.
Public companies will proceed as standard, though there could also be some adjustments within the availability of companies on the day of the state funeral.
Along with the UK authorities, devolved administrations, Crown dependencies and abroad territories will observe nationwide mourning and concern separate tips.
Flags
Flags flown from royal residences, authorities buildings and army institutions had been lowered following Her Majesty’s dying.
Corporations or different organizations wishing to pay tribute by decreasing flags or remaining silent can observe the rules posted on GOV.UK.
Companies and public companies
There isn’t a obligation for organizations to droop their actions throughout the interval of nationwide mourning. Relying on the character and placement of their enterprise and the tone of deliberate occasions, some companies could contemplate closing or suspending occasions, notably on the day of the state funeral, however that is on the discretion of particular person companies. Public companies will proceed as standard, though there could also be some adjustments in service availability. Further steering on any potential state funeral day concerns will probably be posted as wanted.
journey info
All through the interval of nationwide mourning, notably on ceremonial days and through preparations for the state funeral, public transport in key areas will probably be very busy and journeys could take longer than standard. Additional info will probably be introduced by community operators, and you need to verify your route earlier than touring to make sure that all companies are working as anticipated.
Commemorative occasions
Many group organisations, together with locations of worship, native authorities and charities, will maintain occasions commemorating Her Majesty’s life and repair. This may occasionally embrace holding retreat (or comparable) companies, in addition to alternatives for these with no non secular beliefs to pay their respects. Native authorities will help the coordination of native occasions, so please verify with them or your native place of worship for particulars.
Main occasions, leisure and sports activities
There isn’t a obligation to cancel or postpone sporting occasions and fixtures, or to shut leisure venues throughout the nationwide mourning interval. That is on the discretion of particular person organizations. As a mark of respect, organizations could contemplate canceling or suspending occasions or closing venues on the day of the state funeral. They’re underneath no obligation to take action and it’s fully on the discretion of the person organizations.
If conferences or sporting occasions are scheduled on the day of the state funeral, organizations could want to modify occasion instances in order that they don’t battle with the instances of the related funeral and processions. As an indication of respect and consistent with the tone of nationwide mourning, organizers could want to observe a interval of silence and/or play the nationwide anthem initially of occasions or sporting matches, and gamers could want to put on black armbands.
floral tributes
It’s customary for mourners to depart floral tributes. This part outlines particulars of key areas the place you possibly can lay flowers and different tributes.
Throughout this era of nationwide mourning, the Authorities and the Royal Family respectfully request that no flowers, wreaths or official tributes be despatched by organizations to the placement of State Funerals, Royal Residences or Authorities Places of work.
In your local people, there could also be a spot, reminiscent of a city corridor or place of worship, the place members of the general public can lay flowers or tributes in reminiscence of Her Majesty. Please verify the web site of your native authorityor native media for extra info.
All over the place, you will need to observe the recommendation and directions of the stewards.
London
A memorial flower backyard will probably be arrange tomorrow in Inexperienced Park and would be the essential flower lay-out location close to Buckingham Palace.
Windsor
Flowers could be laid on the lengthy stroll at Cambridge Gate, close to town centre. Learn extra info on the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead web site.
Sandringham
Flowers could be positioned on the property and guests will probably be directed to the right location upon arrival.
Belfast
Flowers could be left at Hillsborough Citadel. Learn extra info on the Northern Eire Workplace web site.
Edinburgh
Flowers could also be dropped off on the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Learn extra info on the Scottish Authorities web site.
Balmoral
Flowers could be left on the essential gate of the fortress. Learn extra info on the Balmoral Citadel web site.
Cardiff
Flowers could also be positioned on both facet of the City Corridor entrance. Learn extra info on the Welsh Authorities web site.
Tributes
Donating to considered one of Her Majesty’s many charities and patronages could be seen as a becoming option to honor her extraordinary legacy. Learn extra info on how one can donate and an inventory of Her Majesty’s charities and patronages.
condolence books
There aren’t any bodily condolence books within the royal residences. You may signal a e book of condolences on-line on the Royal Household’s web site.
There will probably be alternatives to signal condolence books at numerous city halls and different areas throughout the UK. Please verify along with your native authority.
Open your individual condolence e book
Any group or individual can open a e book of condolences throughout the nationwide mourning interval.
There isn’t a set format for a condolence e book. The desk setting is often a trestle desk on which the e book is positioned with a white tablecloth, an association of flowers (often lilies or different white flowers) and a framed formal {photograph} of Her Majesty. It may be an official portrait or a portrait taken throughout a earlier royal go to. As a mark of respect, a black ribbon could possibly be wrapped across the higher proper nook.
Please observe that the Royal Home and Authorities will be unable to obtain condolence books.
On-line communication channels might also be used to mirror Her Majesty’s passing and take part within the interval of nationwide mourning. Organizations can acknowledge the time of mourning by making adjustments to their web site homepage, reminiscent of utilizing black borders or black banners.
Organizations and people might also want to share their reminiscences of Her Majesty on-line. There isn’t a established option to mark Her Majesty’s passing on social media. Organizations could want to revise their deliberate content material for the interval.
Any adjustments to web sites or social media pages ought to consider accessibility necessities for visually impaired customers.
Official pictures and portraits of Her Majesty
It’s not essential to cowl or take away current official portraits or pictures in your group of Her Majesty as an indication of respect. It’s customary to depart them in place, on the discretion of the group. For instance, you’ll nonetheless see in lots of older public buildings official portraits on show of King George VI and different earlier monarchs.
Public museums and galleries
Public museums, galleries or comparable locations are usually not obliged to shut throughout the interval of nationwide mourning. Organizations could select to shut on the day of the state funeral, however there isn’t any obligation to take action and it’s on the discretion of every group. As with different organisations, these establishments could want to show or share photographs of earlier royal visits, notably if they’re considered one of Her Majesty’s patronages.
Extra info
For extra info, please see the Royal web site The place GOV.UK.